I’m here representing million of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance; all of you. Somehow how when...
More »I’m here representing million of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance; all of you. Somehow how when Michael Jackson sang or when he danced we never felt distant, we felt like he was right there; right for us. You believed in Michael and he believed in you. He made you believe in yourself. I loved him all my life. One of the first records my brother and I ever bought was dance machines. And I’ll never forget the two of us getting the robot going trying to be like the Jackson 5. Thank you. Thank you. Michael was the biggest star on earth. He let me know that as an African-American, you could travel the world — there was a world outside of America, other people. All you people who came here to pay respect to someone who you felt was one of you, a human being first. This morning I spoke with perhaps one of our greatest posts Maya Angelou, and I’m so honored that she asked me to share some words that she wrote for Michael.
We Had Him by Dr. Maya Angelou
Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.
Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.
In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.
Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.
Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.
He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.
Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.
He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.
We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.
His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.
And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.
Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Black Star Square.
In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England
We are missing Michael.
But we do know we had him, and we are the world.
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